CLEVELAND: Jordan McRae’s experiment as a point guard is over before it ever really started.
Coach Tyronn Lue acknowledged before the Cavaliers’ 108-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday that McRae will no longer be used as a point guard, a decision that was made after just one preseason game.
“We’re going to slow it down a little bit,” Lue said. “It’s not fair to him. It’s something he hasn’t done his whole career.”
McRae’s removal from the competition seems to imply rookie Kay Felder has emerged as the primary backup to Kyrie Irving, who made his preseason debut Saturday with 15 points and three assists in 19 minutes. Felder, meanwhile, was the first guard off the bench and finished with four points and three assists.
LeBron James scored 15 points and grabbed four rebounds in 17 minutes, while Kevin Love had two points on 1-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes. None of the Cavs’ starters played in the second half and Lue is expected to maintain a light workload for the team’s stars throughout the rest of the preseason. There remains a good chance a number of regulars will sit for Monday’s preseason game at the Atlanta Hawks.
McRae scored 20 points Saturday, all in the second half. It’s the second time in as many preseason games McRae scored 20, but it remains to be seen whether he can carve a role in the Cavs’ regular rotation if and when J.R. Smith is under contract.
McRae impressed during summer league and scored 20 points in the Cavs’ preseason opener on Wednesday. He worked on his mechanics and improved his jumper over the summer, but remains deficient defensively and is stuck behind Iman Shumpert and Mike Dunleavy, among others, for minutes on the wing.
“We like what he gives us as far as offensively,” Lue said. “Offensively, he’s definitely ready to step up and play. We’ve just got to keep bringing him along defensively.”
Channing Frye scored 14 points, including four 3-pointers, while Tristan Thompson missed his second game with a left foot injury. Thompson is expected to miss Monday’s game at the Hawks as well.
“I’m practicing in the practices and team scrimmages,” Thompson said. “It’s more just getting ready for the season and staying fresh.”
J.R. Smith sighting
Smith joined Cavs players and staff at Friday’s Indians game despite his contract dispute and has in fact spent a fair amount of time around the team.
“J.R. is always going to be around us,” James said. “He’s a brother of ours and a guy that means so much to this team. Mentally, I don’t really bring up this side because obviously we know he wants to be here, we want him here and we need him here. Both sides have to try to figure it out hopefully sooner than later. It’s always good to see him and we can’t wait until we get him.”
Smith has a daughter in school here, which is a big reason why he has remained in Cleveland during the dispute.
“When we’re on the court, we definitely feel him not here,” James said. “Every time we step out on the floor and don’t see him out on the floor, it affects our team. Things should get done soon, hopefully.”
Jason Lloyd can be reached at jlloyd@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Cavs blog at www.ohio.com/cavs. Follow him on Twitter www.twitter.com/JasonLloydABJ.